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Wednesday, January 22, 2014

BEST OF: Shush Martin 7.30.2009

Just because Sybil and I are out frolicking in the South Pacific, couldn't leave you guys hanging. So while I'm gone let's do what the syndicated radio shows do. Yeah, a little "best of ..." I'll post some of my favorite stories from the past and before you know it I'll be back live and in living color with tales from abroad. Thanks again for your patronage, your patience and your understanding of my honeymoon sabbatical.

SHUSH MARTIN

By Richie Whitt

Dallas Observer

July 30, 2009

Russ Martin is a jackass.

He’s a vulgar, passive-aggressive, pompous
bully who for years physically and psychologically tormented his Dallas radio co-workers
to gain fame and fortune.

“Stuff he’d say to us on the air he wouldn’t
say to us in the hall, because he’s a coward,” says J.D. Ryan, Martin’s radio
right-hand man for 25 years. “To him everything was a bit, but eventually he
crossed the line. It became personal. He made it clear that being successful
wasn’t enough. For him to be truly happy, those around him also had to fail miserably.”

Russ Martin is a hero.

He’s a talented, wildly popular, temporarily
shelved talk-show personality and tireless philanthropist who for years
promoted animal rights and raised money for the families of fallen policemen
and firefighters.

“I consider him a friend, and I’ve always
respected his unique style,” says Dallas Police Chief David Kunkel. “He always
came to the defense of the cops, sometimes when nobody else was. Sometimes even
at the expense of his own popularity.”

Russ Martin is a criminal.

Charged—via Cause No. 1120508—with kicking,
pushing and pulling out the hair of ex-fiancée Mandy Blake in July 2008, Martin
pled “no contest” to misdemeanor charges in TarrantCounty
on July 10. Initially arrested for felony aggravated assault with a deadly
weapon, he for months boasted his innocence. But, according to two sources
close to Martin, after a brief reconciliation during which Blake moved into his
$3 million Frisco mansion and wore his $30,000 engagement ring the couple broke
up in late June, injecting him with fears of her “loose cannon” element on the
witness stand. By accepting a plea bargain of deferred adjudication and two
years’ probation, Martin avoided a trial and possible jail time but also
absorbed the stigma of guilt in that he did not, after all, refute the charges
against him. If he completes his probation – which includes a $1,000 fine and battering
intervention counseling – there will be no conviction on his record.

“When we’re able to work out a plea to get
someone counseling, we’re going to take that position,” Tarrant County District
Attorney’s Family Violence Unit chief Sean Colston said after the deal. “We
consider a situation where someone is going to be monitored for two years a
good resolution.”

Some interesting parallels between subject and writer. Both are height deficient; alcohol seems to be a big player in both of their lives; both appear to be obsessed with money and material goods; Sybil is a link to both of them.

One thing I did read in the article is relative to radio ratings: " In radio, ratings equal revenue." Interesting that the writer pooh-poohed this nugget when trying to explain the poor ratings for his former show.